Stowe Sew-Along: Finishing your Bag

In this Stowe Sew-Along post we’ll be walking you through steps 13, 14 & 15. We’ve learned that these are the most confusing steps of the entire project so I’ve included two videos to help illustrate the steps. If they aren’t playing for you for any reason, you can find them on our newly created YouTube Channel. I’ve tested them on my phone, tablet, and desktop computer and they work for me, but everyone’s devices are different. With that, lets dive in!

To begin step 13, measure in from the seam line at the side of the bag and mark 3″ on the small bag and 4″ on the large bag. Fold the sides of the bag over towards the center along the marked point.

Step 13

I’ve made a video to show exactly what we mean by fold the edge over onto the bag since this stumps people quite a bit. You’re just going to take the edge and bring it towards the center by folding it in over the bag.

Pin the bottom of the bag and head over to your sewing machine so we can stitch the folded edges in place.

You’re going to sew within the seam allowance from the folded edge in towards the center edge as shown in pink thread above. You can see that I do backtack at both sides of this line. This anchored fold creates the side gusset of the bag and completes step 13.

Step 14

Turn your bag right side out and push the lower corners out into place. Give the sides and handles of your bag a light press to shape the bag.

Step 15

This next step is completely option and honestly, something that Karen and I both omit from our bags. It gives the bag a permanent bottom gusset allowing the bag to stand up on its own empty. The bag will already stand up when there’s a project inside of it without this step, and permanently anchoring the bottom gusset will make it so the bag doesn’t fold completely flat when not in use. It’s really up to you whether or not you do step 15. Rather than try to explain this step in words and pictures, we’ve made the video below for instruction. It really is easiest to explain this step this way.

That wraps up the Stowe Sew-Along, thanks so much for following along with us! I’m sure there’ll be a question or two on this post so let us know below if you need clarification on anything.